FAQs
To find the GCF of a set of numbers, list all the factors of each number. The greatest factor appearing on every list is the GCF. For example, to find the GCF of 6 and 15, first list all the factors of each number. Because 3 is the greatest factor that appears on both lists, 3 is the GCF of 6 and 15.
How do you find the greatest common factor for dummies? ›
The greatest common factor is the greatest factor that divides both numbers. To find the greatest common factor, first list the prime factors of each number. 18 and 24 share one 2 and one 3 in common. We multiply them to get the GCF, so 2 * 3 = 6 is the GCF of 18 and 24.
What is the easiest way to find the GCD? ›
Step 1: Find the product of a and b. Step 2: Now, find the least common multiple (LCM) of a and b. Step 3: Divide the product of 'a' and 'b' by the LCM of a and b. Step 4: The obtained value after division is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of (a, b).
How to factor GCF step by step? ›
How to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of two expressions.
- Factor each coefficient into primes. Write all variables with exponents in expanded form.
- List all factors—matching common factors in a column. ...
- Bring down the common factors that all expressions share.
- Multiply the factors.
What is the GCF method? ›
The greatest common factor (GCF) of a set of numbers is the largest factor that all the numbers share. For example, 12, 20, and 24 have two common factors: 2 and 4. The largest is 4, so we say that the GCF of 12, 20, and 24 is 4. GCF is often used to find common denominators. Created by Sal Khan.
How to solve GCF problems? ›
How do you find the GCF? Step 1: State the product of prime factors for each number. Step 2: Write all the prime factors for each number into a Venn diagram. Step 3: Multiply the prime factors in the intersection to find the GCF.
How to find common factors quickly? ›
To find common factors of two numbers, first, list out all the factors of two numbers separately and then compare them. Now write the factors which are common to both the numbers. These factors are called common factors of given two numbers.
What is the basic GCF? ›
Greatest Common Factor of two or more numbers is defined as the largest number that is a factor of all the numbers. Least Common Multiple of two or more numbers is the smallest number (non-zero) that is a multiple of all the numbers.
How to find the greatest common factor of two numbers? ›
To find the GCD/GCF of two numbers, list their factors, identify the common factors, and choose the largest one. For example, the GCD/GCF of 12 and 8 is 4. Numbers with a GCD/GCF of 1 are called relatively prime.
How to find the highest common factor? ›
The highest common factor is found by multiplying all the factors which appear in both lists: So the HCF of 60 and 72 is 2 × 2 × 3 which is 12. The lowest common multiple is found by multiplying all the factors which appear in either list: So the LCM of 60 and 72 is 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 which is 360.
To find the GCF of a set of numbers, list all the factors of each number. The greatest factor appearing on every list is the GCF. For example, to find the GCF of 6 and 15, first list all the factors of each number. Because 3 is the greatest factor that appears on both lists, 3 is the GCF of 6 and 15.
How to factor for dummies? ›
How to Factor Out Numbers
- Determine a common factor. A common factor is 2.
- Divide each term by the common factor and write the results of the division in parentheses, with the factor out in front.
- Determine whether you can factor out any other terms. ...
- Simplify the answer.
How to factor when there is no GCF? ›
Answer and Explanation:
If an expression has no GCF, then it cannot be factored without fractions occurring in the expression. The only number that can divide all terms evenly in this case is one.
What is the simplest form of greatest common factor? ›
How can you use the greatest common factor to simplify fractions? You can divide the numerator and denominator of a fraction by their GCF to find the simplest form! You know the greatest common factor of 16 and 24 is 8. So, divide both 16 and 24 by 8.
What is the GCF of 15 and 45? ›
What is the GCF of 15 and 45? The GCF of 15 and 45 is 15. To calculate the GCF of 15 and 45, we need to factor each number (factors of 15 = 1, 3, 5, 15; factors of 45 = 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 45) and choose the greatest factor that exactly divides both 15 and 45, i.e., 15.